
Qass 
Book. 



DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED ON 



THE FAST DAY 



RECOMMENDED BY THE 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 



BY JOHIV M. Dr]¥CA:V, 



PAgTOX or THE ASSOCIATE RBFORMBD OONORBOATION OF BALTIMORE. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST. 



BALTIMORE: 
GUSHING & BROTHER, 

206, MARKET STREET. 

JOHN GUSHING & Go. 

6, N. HOWARD STREET. 
1841. 



n 




/ 

A 



DISCOURSE, 



DELIVERED ON 






THE FAST DAY 



RECOMMENDED BY THE 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES 



BY JOH]¥ I?I/DIJ]VCA]¥, 



PASTOR OF THE ASSOCIATE REFORMED CONGREGATION OF BALTIMORE. 



PUBLISHED BY REQUEST, 



BALTIMORE: 

GUSHING & BROTHER, 

20G, MARKET STREET. 

JOHN GUSHING & Go. 

6, N. HOWARD STREET. 

1841. 






Ron F. n T N F. I L S O N , 
K. ». co«NEii or aALiiM ui: and charles RTaErTS. 



DISCOURSE 



Psalm xxxiii. 12. — Blessed is the nation whose God (Elohim — Magistrate) is 
Jehovah; and the people whom he hath chosen for his own inheritance. 



We have been called into the sanctuary to-day — not by 
any specific ordinance of the Most High ; not by the sum- 
mons of an ecclesiastical sect ; nor even by the authoritative 
requisition of our city or state corporations — but because a 
deep working sympathy is pervading all parties of this great 
community, and compelling them to respond to each other 
in tones of grief. The nation assembles to mourn a depart- 
ed Chief. Circumstances, strongly marked, and distress- 
ing to all, have occurred, revolving around a death-bed scene 
in the nation's mansion — throwing the public mind back on a 
fearfully tumultuous scene, and forward in appalling augury 
of future events — and, at the call of him whom Providence 
has now placed in the chair of state, we have come to weep 
before the righteous and omniscient God. This seems to be 
required on the presumption that we have done, and may still 
be doing, much which is wrong in his sight. The voice of 
conscience speaks ; and, tracing our affliction back to sin we 
have committed, compels to humble meditation, andpropose^ 
no relief but in earnest prayer. Our chief magistrate feels 
it to be right we should thus appear in the courts of the Lord ; 
and the millions of our land approve and consent. 



In this inrMiriifii] rcromnnv, yoii call u]M)n the ministry of 
fcronciliatioii. w ith ail tluir priestly synipathifs, to attend 
von to the altar, to takr tin had in voiir meditations, and to 
intrii cde tor r()r«^ivin<^ mercv, IJut yon have thouj^hts of 
votiroun; and j)erhaj)s vou have come here with oj)inions 
already firndv settled. What then do yon expect from us? 
Some common place sentences, clothed in ^orijeous phrase.'' 
or some dulcet strains of chaste and popular euIo«(v.' Or 
will vou allow sonu' <'lear toned remonstrances.' some indi;;- 
nant rehuke for the past.' .M)nie hii^h sonled warning for 
the future.'* Can yon honestly and seriously permit us, to 
eltite the elemental j)rinciples of social ori^anization, which 
the Internal has incor|)orated in his covenant with man; — 
Will vou li>ten n\ ithout restlessness and rehuke, if we note 
the declinini^ inlhienceof those j)rinciples.' Will you cheer- 
fullv follow u;-:. if We call vou to |)olitical thinking of higher 
attributes than l)eloni( Lo that in which j»arty j)urposes may 
have tiaiiH'd \on.' and to political action, ij^rac-ed hy that me- 
dialoi-ial lo\i'liness from w hicli paity contention has oirang- 
ed vou.' If vou consider the ollicial recommendation, by 
^vhich we liave been convened, to in\iie us to this la.-sl ditli- 
(iih and responsible ta>k. w ill xou. without takin«( offence 
w here no od'ence is inlendeil. i-e>j)()nd to n> in all due honour.'* 
Or will you curiou>Iy wal(h for onr paity predilections.' 
catch at our moral lessons as betrayed party dogmas.' require 
us to conceal tiiith in order to avoid susj)icion.' or smile 
■with an incredulits which will interpret our plain speaking 
as merely j)roiessional? 

Whaie\ei- nia\ be the public expectation ere our tlutybc 
done, or whatever may be the ultimate jud,i;ini'nt ol onr 
hearers when that duty ^hall have been jH'rformed — whether 
they may award praise or censuri' — w hether thev mav ac- 
cu.'^e of a morbid and puritanic palriolir^m, or aj)plaudan in- 



5 

dependence of thought which rises above party considera- 
tions—I shall zealously endeavour to deal fairly by my text; 
and shall unreservedly lay its great principles alongside of 
our social habits. I pray you then to forget your party pre- 
possessions and animosities, and to deal honestly by your 
sacred responsibilities. Remember, you are in the house of 
the King of kings, listening to his counsels, as far as he who 
addresses you, and who has no party feelings to express, 
may be able to detail them. 

My text is like the occasion, and like the bible from which 
it has been selected, national. The policy of the Abra- 
hamic covenant, which contains the great mystery of the 
divine government, and under which both the Jewish and 
Christian dispensations have been deployed, is national. 
Christian nations, not christian sects, constitute the chris- 
tian CHURCH. By the appointment of him whose face we 
are seeking in the day of our trouble, the inspired volume 
is addressed to both the rulers and the ruled, as under one 
evangelical compact; and under one great mediatorial prince, 
who has been made Head over all things. Individuals have 
an interest in that compact only as they are members of the 
great ecclesiastical whole; while the moral principles, 
wrapped up in its glorious exterior, belong to all mankind. 
I thus pronounce to you a great scriptural fact which, I fear 
christian nations have in a great measure theoretically, and in 
a still greater measure practically, forgotten. 

Politicians assume, that government is the result of an 
occurring necessity; when the disadvantages of every man's 
doing that which is right in his own eyes have become so 
apparent and oppressive, that organization is necessary for 
mutual protection and general comfort. They seem to 
think that God has given law only to individual conscience; 
and that he is not lord of the public mind; or that, while 





irKli\ iiliKil clKiractcr is Ibrmctl aiul inaUirfd uiuUt the 
niouldini; power of political institutions, those institutions 
he has leli to he iVanieil hy the philosophic wit of niati : and 
has unwisely j):'.ssed over this most powerful instrunient of 
public education. They renieniher not that man was made 
olliciallv, as well as personally, ''the imai^e of God" — that 
the lir>i of christian apostles lias said, '" The powers that be 
are ordained of Ciod'- — and that Jehovah, in view of false 
j)oliiical doctrines and contlictinii; forms of j^overnment. has 
proclaimed himself to be Kini; of kiniijs, and Lord of lords, 
ficnce you fmd at the basis of their charters, or constitu- 
tions, or bv w hatever other name thcv may desif^nate their 
deeds of association, various ''figments*' as the premises 
of their lei^al devisin.i^s and reasonings. So that, like Israel 
of old, when dejxirted from the covenant of the Lord, our 
misnamed poliiical confetleracies are like so many dead, 
(h\ . aiul disjointed I)ones, where the Spirit of the Lord 
(IwrlU iiDi ; antl iiuiividual man is despoiled of hi> hii^h 
iriiinini,' lor glory. 

it 1 am right, if the fact stated lets us into liie secret of 
those many and deej) troubles, the centre of which Avas dis- 
coNcred the other day when the fune^d pall was thrown 
over your chair of slate; then should those, holy counsellors, 
\vhose it i> to commune with the high Ruler (>f the world, 
call up die national mind to ponder the forgotten, but glo- 
rious truili. Then should these men of God, in his sacred 
name, recpiire the community w hich he calls hi> own inher- 
itance, to resU)re his covenant of love and liie to their allec- 
tion and confidence. And when all unite in i»rayer, their 
])raver should be that — The Spirit of the LordshouKl come 
among the slain; bring bone to his bone; lay on the llesh 
and the sinews: and, enveloping the w hole with its own 



transparent covering, make the political body an image of 
the great King. 

In making these remarks, I pretend not to deny that, the 
forms of government among christian nations have been 
moulded by christian principles. How could it be other- 
wise.'^ Christianity has thrown such a light over the world; 
her emblems have every where so visibly pourtrayed such 
startling truths, associated with such high hope's; and her 
ministers have, " by the foolishness of preaching," in dem- 
onstration of the Spirit and of power, so clearly shown ''^the 
foolishness of God to be wiser than men, and the weakness 
of God to be stronger than men," that law-makers could not 
evade her claims. Idolatry has been quickly retired as too 
base and silly for Christendom. The dark ages, even in 
amalgamating gentilism with the beautiful code of the cru- 
cified Lord, could not extinguish the heavenly flame; but 
kings and emperors yielded to a mighty power, ruling in 
the temple, and wearing the robes of an ecclesiastical prince. 
Our own great men, who, under marked moral impulses, 
carried our revolution on to its glorious termination, and 
reaped a reward of everlasting renown for their moral worth, 
honourably owned their allegiance to the Lord of truth; and 
sought to consecrate liberty as a vestal virgin in his service. 

While the heavens declare the glory of God, and the 
earth showeth forth his handy works; while the invisible 
things of him are so clearly seen by the things which are 
made, as to leave even the heathen without excuse ; and 
while, in filling their hearts with food and gladness, the 
great I AM never left himself without a witness — how could 
politicians; how could infidels themselves, throw aside the 
master idea of God and his providence.'' Even idolaters 
thought their national interests and destinies to be under the' 
protection of their presiding gods ; and philosophers, who* 



s 



appeareil among them, smiling at tlic multiplied p»tty conceits 
of tlurr I'alse systems, yet sought for a purer conception 
of the ennobling idea. Socrates. Seneca, Plato, Cicero, a 
thousand others, have crecteil for themselves imperishable 
memorials on liie hallowed spot, where the Everlasting One 
has laid the foundations of society; and have inscribed 
thereon the cfincliisions of tlieir own gifted minds. And in 
later da\s, the j)roud Ilhiininati of Kim-o|)0. uhowotddhave 
raised the goddess of reason to tlie Messiah's throne, only 
drenched their chambers and their streets in gore; made 
themselves a laughing stock to the world; and left a deso- 
lating ^i)irit behind — a sad and bloody comment on their 
dogma of annihilation. The talo of the cross, the sorrows, 
the blood, and the triiim|)lis of the martyrs, have enthroned 
on the ruins of polvtlu'ism the f)urer, the more intellectual 
svsteni ol C'hrisliatiitvr and the Spirit of the Lord is still 
bearing it onward, as j)romul<(aling a covenant for the re- 
deemed people of the .Mo>i High, against whose holy em- 
pire the gates of hell shall never prevail. Politicians must 
needs give place to a moral power they could not control, 
Thev rather courieil the agent of an influence so potent; 
and, corriiptiiiiz; its j)hilo<()phv. like the j)nissant Constantine, 
thev fabled a cross in ilie air, to cover a >trataicem which 
selfishlv sought their own aggrandi>ement. They put on 
the garb of the priesthood to deceive the hosts of the Lortl ; 
imitating their examj)le '* millions sha|)eil the cross on their 
><houlder, rushed into excess and blood-guiltiness, and called 
itanaccom|)lishment of the will of (iod ;" aiul here we are 
to-dav, mournini; ()\er judgments which have succeeded, 
and whi( h so deeply coFd'ound. their wittering policy. 

1 woidd to (ioil ili.\ h;i(l been >ineeri\ and honest, and 
honoinable men. But. alas! how ohcn have the\ ajipeared 
in j)ublic, covering their insant; projects with the majestic 



9 

robe of christian principle ; when in private they have poi- 
soned the fountain of their own well-^being arnid th6 folHes 
and blasphemies of bacchanahan orgies ! How often have 
they secretly invaded the social influence of Christianity by 
their example, when they dare not touch her doctrines in 
their public speeches :■ — like the philosophers of old, whom 
the historian describes as, '' disguising a smile of contempt 
under the mask of devotion, without apprehending that 
either the mockery or the compliance Would expose them tO' 
the resentment of any invisible, or as they conceived them^ 
imaginary powers.'' I)o you know these things? How can 
you confide in men, who do not honour the great God, but 
make his laws give place to party projects? And how can 
men of thought and intellectual power, who seal their pro- 
fession at the table of the Lord, lend their aid to such com- 
binations? For such things we are here to-day, to fast and' 
mourn. And it belongs to me, distinctly and loudly to calf 
upon you, to abandon the ruinous schismatic course; and to 
return to Jehovah as your nation's God.- 

There are none before me of atheistic pretensions. There"^ 
cannot be. I would not insult my audience by a supposi- 
tion, that any such hardened and foolish mortal would have 
forsaken his haunt of irresponsible vice, to appear where hu- 
man beings worship Jehovah— no, not though stimulated by 
the most violent political phrenzy. You all believe thei'e is a 
God^-one living and eternal God — the creator and preserver 
of all things — distinguished by the noblest attributes, intel- 
lectual and moral — incapable of mistake — -kindly throwing 
the light of his own mind into the bosom of the creature he 
formed in his image — unfolding his deep and wise J)urposes 
as he conducts that creature to brighter worlds— and giving a 
law for his action, wise, appropriate, and efficient. There 
is certainly nothing irrational-^how should there be.'' — in 

2 



10 

such acknowledgments of a lu-lieving mind. On the con- 
trary, the immortal spirit thai has gone the farthest and soai- 
ed the highest, must have fell the most vivid impression, ajid 
have obtained the clearest evidence of so glorious a reality. 
Socrates might utcj) (i\tr the ])f»j)ular supersliiion of his- 
age; hut his disenllnalled and enlightened thoughts VK)uld 
lead him luanr ilie liiione of the one li\ing and eternal 
God. The pres.suri' of preconceived systems removed from 
his troul)led spirit, tliat spirit rose to commune i\ith the 
being who hreathed it. liow important that reality must 
needs be ! The conjnHiniiv \\lii( li has lost it. or is incapable 
of perceiving it, lacks moral and intellectual vitality. 

i\o forms of superstition, no refinements r/ mysticism, 
however ancient their originators, or eloquei/t their advo- 
cates, can suj)})ly appropriate moral imj)ul.ses to wise politi- 
cal action ; or purge the human conscience from dead or pro- 
fitless works. The .scriptures have .said — *^The fear of the 
Lord is the beginning of wisdom." The man who is ruled 
thereby has a starting jioint for immortaliu — a moral centre 
around which all his powers mav be seen in ceaseless action 
— a comj)anionship which ( hcrrs him onward to a glorious 
destiny, lie lias an object of iliouglu and love, of rever- 
ence and confidence, which. \\ liiK- he contemplates it,spreatls 
a heavenly influence over all ihe forms of his being; and con- 
secrates him as a niini>teiing angel to guide the companion.'^ 
of hi- xtiiow to an everlasting home. Sui'h a man might 
rule ill righteousness; and tlie S|;{rit of love, of j^ower, and 
ol a sound iniiid would guide his counsels, while exhibiting 
that ciiAui rv. \\ hich insj)ire(l men have described as the 
end and design of government. Bui ii i- Mirelv — your own 
common sense cannot fail to i)ercei\e it — it is surely most 
unseendy, that human beingj of his class should be ruled by 
the children of lust. Talk not of the talent of these sons of 



11 

folly — would you again attempt to raise the goddess of rea- 
son to Messiah's throne? Talk not of their apparent con- 
formity to christian statutes — would you have the messen- 
gers of Satan transformed into angels of light, to reign over 
the inheritance of the Lord? By liberty you would not 
mean independence of the laws of the Most High, when 
you all know that it originally meant freedom from the con- 
trol of such an unsanctified and superstitious despotism ? and 
that it is the gift of the Son of God himself? The irre- 
ligious are not free — they are slaves — liberty belongs to that 
nation alone, w^hose God is the Lord. 

The man of historical reading — I mean one who rises 
above the mechanical memory of mere naked facts, and 
scans with a philosophic eye, the progress and decline of 
empires — the man of historical reading might illustrate our 
theme, if he pleased, by a most appalling synopsis. He would 
tell you that death, — whose awful work, in taking away a 
great and good man from among us, has called us here to- 
day, — is the result of rebelling against the government of 
God — that government with which society began ; and un- 
der whose penalty society still suffers. He would tell you 
that the flood, — whose memorials we have in the altered 
structure of the earth, and in the brilliant bow across the 
heavens, the emblem of a new experiment of society under 
a covenant of life, from the divine throne — was the result 
of breaking and despising the great social ordinances which 
Jehovah as king had appointed. He would tell you of the 
tower of Babel as the centre of a fearful confusion, when a 
descending God resented a new political apostacy, which 
gave the glory of the everlasting Lord to another, and his 
praise to a graven image. He would tell you of the call of 
Abraham, and the consecration of the chosen tribes, as a 
splendid effort of the Mighty One to recover his govern- 



\-2 

ment ovfr the nations. Ht- would tell vou of the learliil 
doings of Ahrahanrt (ioti amoni; the idols of Ei<v{)t, until 
Baal-Zcphon, thi' la>t of that iiidiallowi'd trihe of liiinKin 
phantoms, ^avt; jdacr to llir pillar of a cloud, and ihf pil- 
lar of firr — the i^iiidi' of a holv nation to their promised 
jiihcritanct'. W'lirrr would he stop.' lie nui^ht trace out 
the whole irai^ie story of human i^ovcrnments. And when 
lie be^an to explain the political operations l»y uliich the 
moral views of society were corru|)te(l, and society it.^elf 
became de«^radjed, he woulil have to refer you to the unen^ 
lii^htened ambition of politicians, as deep in lu>t as they 
were powerftil in t.ileni — men of miirht and renown, men 
of diplomatic skill and Ahiihojihel astuteness, men of i^reat 
military j)rowess or of great ecclesiastical finesse. — Meta- 
morphosed by the subtle agency of such *' choice sj)irits," 
society l(i>t her iiKtial beauty and grandeur; groaned in 
anguish, or, as Paul lias it, travailed in pain ; and helj) 
lessly looked forward to the (iroinised incarnation, and the 
'" manifestation of the sons of (Jod."' 

1 would not have niv country, 1 would not ha\e christian 
nations, again jo tr\ the dread experiment of disowning the 
government of (iod ovti- soc i vi. man. Alas! my jirayer 
has come too late. Ilic i \periineni has been tried already: 
as apostles fo)vtold. a .man of mn has assailed the inher- 
itance of the Ii(»rd; and the sons of the resurrection and the 
life have been (lecci\('(l and dishonored b\ his anti-christian 
policy. Kead tlie histors ol the churili. Take it as a 
^yhole, without indulging in sectarian re( riininaiion ; or ar- 
raying till- j)riest against the j)rince, or the prince against 
the priest. Look at all together — kings and emperors in 
their bold and bloody inarches — politicians and ministers ol 
state in their secret coinnutlees and nightly conclaves — pa- 
j)al and protectant leaders of conjlicting lnil\ hosts — church 



13 

and state united — or, church and state separated, and our 
rulers talking of God and his providence like the lovers of 
natural religion, while they are ashamed of making one me- 
diatorial allusion, lest a watchful community, trembling for 
their liberty, would call it sectarian. And is it sectarianism 
to name the Son of God in official communications ? Then 
where has been the government — remember, the government 
I say— the political government, of the Father and the Son 
over christian NATIONS— over the American people — amid 
all this turmoil of passion, these throes of ambition ? Where 
is it now ? Government we have — by a vast deal too much 
of it : governments we have — -by a vast deal too many of 
them : laws, and codes of laws, we have in fearful abund- 
ance — too numerous and diversified for the world to con- 
tain them. But where is the government of the Father 
and the Son, which antichrist is said to deny ? Seen only 
in the crippled influence of some misshapen institutions — 
lost or sported with in the passionate controversies of the 
day. 

And what mean these endless and loud commotions.^ 
Men are seeking after liberty ; and are unhappily, by mis- 
take, rushing into licentiousness. What has produced this 
whirlwind form of action ^ Light has been shed — the film 
has been falling from the public eye — but as yet, we only 
^^ see men as trees walking." Where light is, God is. He 
is man's great teacher : and we must presume that his prov- 
idence is working noiv in the best form the times will allow, 

A new element has been introduced into our various as- 
sociations ; which, however indiscreetly applied, is yet the 
great element of God's government — and that is, charity ; 
without which, though we had the talents of angels, and 
the tongues of men, we cannot be saved from political ruin. 
War among christian nations seems to have been hushed • 



14 

the coi^flict of opinions and of passions appears to have suc- 
ceeded the strife of arms; civilians, if indeed thev may be, 
as they siip[)ose, men of talent and forecast, must study 
afresh the graiul science llK»y have so feehiy apprehended ; 
and the sects are labourini^ in the delirium of a scorcliinj^ 
and wastini^ IcNcr. with more (juestions of policy to settle, and 
more projecl>()f a protean benevolence to realise, than cen- 
turies would avail to etl'ect; even if they were sane in their 
views, and vii^orous in their health. 

And what is to Ix- the cml: W'liat can be the end? — 
Politician- in i licit' liel|)lessncss will be oblii^cd, as they do 
this (lav. to ;i|)pc;il to ihc !\ini< of saints for his mii^lity and 
wise and seasonable interj)osition ; and ecclesiastics must 
castawav their party standards, and unite under the kmner 
of llic cross. 'I'he onlv alternative, if this course is not j)ur- 
sued. it seems to me is that, this lumidtuous excitement, 
ai^itatini; all cla.sses, will be like the biu'nini^ mountain in 
the apocalvpse, which, when cast into the sea, turned it into 
blood. — Ifappv is that nation who.^e (iod is the Lord. — 
Lei Americ;in>, whose revolution commenced these stranijje 
and uncontrollable nio\rnients, be the rir>t to perceive and 
acknowledge the ri:<ht of him to whom the government 
beloni^s. 

There is a second view of our general subject, which ile- 
herves most serious consideration, if we mean honestly to 
meet the j)rincij)le of this day's ceremony. The whole 
system of the divine government has been intended to sus- 
tain human integritv, as dictated and stimidated by human 
intelligence. All nature must harmonise with ileetls of 
righteousness. Kii;hteousness will exalt a \ \ iio.v ; sin will 
be a reproach to any i'kopi.k. 'ihc presiding power must 
b<* willing and intelligent enough to direct such a moral na- 
tioiuil course. The Spirit of the Lord must be abroad, 



15 

where a nation enters such a field of moral enterprise. — 
Politicians cannot carry on such a lofty course of action. A 
thousand times have they corrupted the morals of society to 
accomplish their own ends. And the people who depart 
from the Lord, and exchange their faith for a confidence in 
men of mere literature in any direction, ^^ forsake the foun- 
tain of living waters, and hew out to themselves cisterns, 
broken cisterns that can hold no water." '^Thus saith the 
Lord, Cursed be the man that trusteth in man^ and maketh 
flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the Lord ; 
for he shall be like an heath in the desert, and shall not see 
when good cometh ; but shall inhabit the parched places in 
the wilderness, and in a salt land, and not inhabited. Bless- 
ed is the man that trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the 
Lord is; for he shall be as a tree planted by the waters, 
and that spreadeth out her roots by the river, and shall not 
see when heat cometh ; but her leaf shall be green, and shall 
not be careful in the year of drought, neither shall cease from 
yielding fruit." 

Do you suppose that drunkenness, aduhery, avarice, 
gambling and such like, can conduct a nation to greatness 
and renown.? Can you concede, in a moment of serious 
reflection, however artful your reasoning, such a solecism in 
social morals.? You cannot. It is impossible. For these, 
and such like things, which corrupt society in her best forms 
of action, the wrath of God — if he be what men of thought 
conceive him to be, and what the story of his providence 
reports him to have been — cometh upon the children of dis- 
obedience. No community can be happy or prosperous 
where such Satanic agents crowd her streets, or pass with- 
out the strongest personal rebuke. And will you arraign, 
and in bold infidel tones condemn, a heavenly administration 
which loathes and resents such afli'onts to every thing that is 



ir, 

majestic and ))iin'? Are you prepared to call that divine 
government arhifrarv and nj)presKive, \vhich guards your 
fire-sides from the imj)urities of the licentious.' and svmpfl- 
thises with parental anxieties in the ni^lnly wail of disap- 
pointed hope: SiK h cavils can come from no man of 
rellectifm — Uoiu no heart that is pure. A (lej)raved youth 
mitjht thii< x'clv In screen his improprieties: \\ lien a de- 
pra\ril conuniinitv will siilici- liini. in their j)resence, to 
triumph in his own debasement, init men who have moral 
power to scan the interests of the life that now is, or hate 
anticij)ated with enlightened and prospective view the issues 
of the life to come, would never sutVer ."^uch llai;rant obser- 
vations to pass w iih i?nj)unity. 

It mav be a popular view of the divine administration, but 
rertaiid\ it is e^rei^iously false, that it is arbitrary and un- 
kind, .lehovah's rectoral character is, on the contrary, in 
the hii;he>t des;ree paternal. Would you have him to be 
unri«;htcous? and would \oii aver iliat, amon,<; Jiis subjects, 
rii;hteoi;sness is in)j)ractieable — a mere filament, which no 
one, who knows whai is in man, would ever e.\j)ect him to 
carrv out in practical detail.' What would a patriot of rc- 
lleciion and experience call upon (iod to demand.' Must 
he license >iii in order to accjuire a revi-mic of j)raiser as 
some eoipoiations on earth have done to acquire a reve- 
nue ill iiioiie\. Or must the gracious forbcaram'e of a 
piitviiiL:; failier, >oli(iu)ii-lv wMtebiiiii; ihe dev(>lopment and 
growth of mind from the cradle to the ;;ia\e, be misinter- 
preted as a lV;udv adiiii»ioii that evani4;elic rii^hteousness is 
impossible .' 

The niistakes of ministerial cxci^esis may have given rise 
to this false reasoning;. The o( i iilt dogmas of metaphysi- 
cal theology may ha\c cramped our sj)irilual feelinns, and 
prevented the ratiocinations of our faith. Thus the throne 



17 

of the Almighty may have been surrounded with the sym- 
bols of terror ; and the mediatorial system^ when mystified 
may have failed to inspire us with the moral courage or the 
filial confidence^ which are suitable to our anomalous condi- 
tion^ and commensurate with its own overtures. What a 
mournful spectacle to see a believer at the table of the 
Lord, or on the pillow of death, devoid of assurance, weep- 
ing and quailing with the cup of salvation in his trembling 
hands ! or timidly lifted to his livid lips ! 0, what scenes 
my eye has witnessed, when human beings, falsely trained, 
having improvidently wasted their seasons of grace, have 
been walking in sorrow, or passing into eternity ! 

Yet God is our Father. We are his children. In our 
prayerful pursuit after righteousness, he gives his sanctify- 
ing Spirit and succeeds our efforts. He promises to fill the 
hungry and the thirsty. He wishes not our harm ; but, 
with almost exhaustless forbearance, tries every kind and ac- 
ceptable and soothing agency which can serve to conform us 
to his own bright image. He never chastises, but like a 
prudent vine-dresser he would lop off" some useless branch ; 
and make us more capable to bring forth the rich and fra- 
grant fruits of righteousness. He never afflicts, but he 
would make us partakers of his own holiness. There is 
no temptation in which we may walk, however forbidding 
its character or disastrous its results, in which he would not 
be our sympathising companion. There is no thought of 
our mind which he would not elevate ; no feeling of our 
heart which he would not purify; no affection of our 
bosom, which he would not spiritualise. O, how untrain- 
ed believers have doubted, and captious objectors have 
abused, and men of talent and literature have failed to ap- 
preciate, the mind and heart of our heavenly Father ! 

3 



18 

In this rectoral course he has set an example to human 
government, and sketched out a schedule of political science, 
which all inteilii^ciil nitri should know how to value. A 
nation is but a lar«;er family, of more numerous relations, and 
of greater sociid strength. In scriptural language, the terms 
TAMrLY and \ATio.v are often convertible; and the corre- 
lative epithets arc all used in I he extended communications 
of holy iiHFi <A' all ages. Al lir>t the family grew up into 
this political form, with no other constitutional elements. — 
The ])erversions which the ambitious projects of men of 
military power, or (lij)l()matic skill, or luxurious living have 
entailed on our race, have created other modes and forms of 
government; the comparative excellence of wliich has been 
the subject of endless dispute. With these Jehovah has 
forlx)rne; shaping his own })rovidential course in such aman- 
her, as to control for the time, and finally (o correct their 
numerous evils. All along he has sought to preserve the 
paternal idea in full force. Rulers themselves have retain- 
fed its expressive terms, but have lost its original simplicity ; 
and. to justify their own rigorous proceedings, they have 
given forth fal.^e ideas of the government of God, as though 
that too were the mere expression of ilisturbed passions, 
and Wire foiindtd on no liberal or kind princi})les. He 
ap})ears under their representations as a relentless sover- 
eign; availing himself of his high attributes and his myste- 
rious movements, to sport with the interests and feelings and 
afVections of his crentiirrs. Thcv h-d\o thought the mani- 
festations lie has made of himself to be the mere* personifi- 
cation of physical force; and his Sj)irit, in all his varied ac- 
tions, to be the invisible agency of an irresponsible power. 
His glory, in their interj)retalion, is but a selfish di>play, cal- 
culated to da/./le and confound ; and, under their hard 
wrought but specious argument we have all grown distrust- 



19 

lul — faith itself has become a stupendous enigma, of which, 
the human mind, formed to beheve, can have no concep- 
tion but by a supernatural gift. The mediatorial idea, ages 
past have not been able to grasp. A legal spirit has been 
abroad every where, working out its own course of fearful 
devastation; enacting codes of most vindictive and sangui- 
nary character ; and shedding blood with demoniac profu- 
sion, without regard to the tears of the orphan, the wail of 
the widow, or the future destiny of the slain. And here, 
in this land of freedom, young, fair, and lovely in her form, 
where political sovereignty is predicated of the people, the 
PEOPLE have but too often constituted themselves into a 
violent and unforgiving mob ; while individually they have 
filled our journals with their deeds of bloody revenge. 

And what notice will the Father of all take of such false 
politics.? and of such encroachments on the fraternal laws 
he has given us .? Formerly, he commanded Noah to build 
an ark; and, shutting him in, opened the windows of 
heaven, and broke up the fountains of the great deep, to 
punish the Titanic rebellion of the old w^orld. On the 
plains of Shinar again he appeared, in judicial power to 
dethrone the idols w^hose low and false personifications 
were corrupting the human heart ; and to confound the pro- 
ceedings of official men, w^hen counselling a new arrange-r 
ment of political powers. On the sands of Egypt his state- 
ly steppings were recognized when he poured out a vial 
of wrath on the guilty race of Shepherd Kings, and saved 
"a remnant" for himself. He departed from the sacred 
spot where his name had been so long recorded, and called 
for the Roman eagles to prey upon his chosen inheritance. 
The time is wearing away; his purposes are fulfilling fast; 
the latter day is at hand, and shall soon be gone ; and then 
the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth and all 



20 

lit r works .shall be hunicd u\) : the heavens shall l>c \vraj>- 
peil loi^i'ihi-r as a scToll, and shall th'part with j^rcal noise; 
the dead shall he raised ; every man shall he jiidj^eil accord- 
incj to the deeds done in the body ; the rii^hleous shall iijo 
awav into everlastini? life, anil the wicked into cverlastine; 
death. Prinri[)les must triumph over mere relations; and 
often the kindest parent, who would J)ray for a deparlinu;, 
and wt'r|) over a returnini^ prodii^al, can do nothini; else 
than let him taki- his own course, bitterly to mourn in the 
end inshanu', and rai^s, and famine. Read aright ihesisjns 
of the times, I j)ray you. if you hail duly honoured the 
Lord your God, you would not be this day mournini^ over 
past, and apj)r('hendin,i^ future calamities. Return unto the 
Lord your ( Jod : acknowledtje his jjaternal sway, anil imitate 
his paternal e\ami)le. If he has torn, he will heal ; if he 
has smitten, he will bind uj). 

Xor is the task we prescribe so very diflieult,as you rnhj^ht 
suppose it to be. Our nation is yet in youthful vii^our. 
when impressions may be easily made. Our government 
is vet fl\ir in its form, and fresh in its intluences. Your de- 
))arte(l cmikf, in irL-> expiring mometit, plaintively and so- 
lemnly called us back from scenes of hurtful excitement, to 
review attain i^reat constitutional principles; and bid us 
cherish them with all the ardour of a young and confiding; 
patriotism. The pageant of the other day, which made its 
nif)urnful appeal to our senses; and the temple service which 
this dav a<siLCns to us fa'^tini,^ and j)ra\t'r, as an appropriate 
expression of lirart-fell LCi'icf. iair\ oiii' rccollei tions back 
but a ste|) or two — and then \\r hear the loud lament, — 
iHi; l\\rnr.i! ok his coi ntkv is .no .mohk. Surely the 
appellation is familiar, and should ([uickly wake up in our 
hearts tin* tenderest associations, as thoui^h Jehovah had 
given in tht>c latter days anew and brilliant image of him- 



J 



21 

self as the Father of us all. Our republican simplicity 
would repudiate the aristocratic distinctions of mismanaged 
governments ; and, basing our political ethics on the pri- 
mary idea of social organization, viz: all are brethren, 
would rather educate her children in virtuous principles, 
and unite them in honourable effort, than encourage a 
haste to be rich, or smile with pleasure over habits of lux- 
ury and vice. Man, intelligent man, man in the image of 
God, is the magnificent idea which our successful revolution 
has shadowed out for the consideration of the world, And 
this is the legitimate object of the government of God. 
Party spirit here should cease ; it would but corrupt our 
institutions. The American eagle spreads her wings over 
a mighty people, who are mutually and morally pledged, to 
beat their swords into plough-shares, and their spears into 
pruning-hooks. Return from the field of consuming strife, 
and range yourselves under the banner of the Prince of 
peace. 

The introduction of sin into our world, and the manner 
in which it has shaped the circumstances of our earthly 
being, has affected nothing more deeply than it has political 
science. Men may designate the different departments of 
thought as they please ; and may speak of theology, of 
philosophy, of jurisprudence, of general literature, in most 
enthusiastic strains ; but sin, which brings death and all 
our woes, has made sad inroads upon their speculations ; 
and surrounded them with obstacles which they cannot 
surmount. A new moral centre, fixed by the great Gov- 
ernor of the world, is needed. Mere nature, in its original 
organization, will not avail. The required principles may 
be in nature ; and the expedient which shall remedy an 
evil so awful and insinuating, may call for these principles 
as belonging to her structure ; but politicians and ecclesias- 



±1 

tics and j)liil()sopluTs liavo most laniunlably ilumonslrvted, 
thai tin V cannot control tlic evil, even in ihe secondarv 
forms which it has assumed in their own a«(es and countries. 
Wlio that ever thoiiL;ht, or reasoned, or read, would trust 
them on the wide field, where the primary recuperative 
principle is to be settled? Men who iiave so egregiouslv 
blundered in ihe common branches of science, and have 
distracted the world with their multiform conceits — how 
could they decide on the mii^hty matters of the world's re- 
bellion? and arrani^e a mediation between heaven and 
earth.' What an ahsuniity I The fJorl of nature mu«<t 
himself speak. Revelation is tlu onlv relief. It must 
needs be so. And if that revelation be indeed given, it 
will bear the imj)ression of its heavenly author uj)on itself. 
Politicians mii^ht not see the imj)ression : philosophers 
miii;ht laugh at the pretension; and ecclesiastics might 
throw over it the many colored mantle of idolatrous super- 
stition. They have treated nature so before; and why not 
repeat their folly.' Do you know any thing about politi- 
cians, j)hiloso])hers, and priests? If you do not, take care 
liow voii listen to them, when thev talk about revelation. 
Revelation is strictly and neces.>iarily poi.i ricAi.. ihus our 
wise .sceptics have not thought ; but, setting Christianity 
down as a mere matter of individual spiritualism, they have 
reserved these heights of moral power for their own ambi- 
tion to climb. And if vou desire to know the etrective 
forcethey have j)ut foith.lei catholic-s and prolesianls ant! 
infidels all tell tli( ir own >torv. Vou must be strangelv 
blind, if you do not see the wretched confusion. Have you 
courage to iliink and act far enough to get right.' 

Should .lelio\ali interfere, as the nece.>^silies of the case 
im|)ort h»' must havi' done, then earth must listen; or. the 
femedy slighteil, society jnust rush again to ruin — ruin as 



23 

desolating as that^ as when man fell by transgression from 
the pinnacle of his glory amid the bowers of Eden. Go 
and ponder antediluvian licentiousness; postdiluvian idola- 
tries; the secrets of the dark ages; or the doings of secta- 
rianism^ w^hich American freemen have so much admired. 
Then think of the reforms which infidels have counselled, 
on principles of supposed high elevation; such as literary 
acquisition — cultivated taste — philosophic propriety — free- 
dom from superstition — ridicule of ecclesiastical follies. — 
These men, like Hume, have never carefully read the vol- 
umes of inspiration ; like Voltaire, they have cried, "crush 
the wretch," and died in unutterable anguish ; or, like Buo- 
naparte, they could make a Pope a part of a pageant to grace 
their literary or military renown, and resort to the priest to 
soothe a dying hour. The real difficulty about Christianity 
is, that it coincides with nature, and tells with unwelcome 
force on the conscience of all ; notwithstanding theologians 
have told us it is above, and infidels have averred it is con- 
trary to, nature. Yet, in spite of all, the foolishness of 
preaching has been the guardian of human liberties, and the 
guide of human hopes. Talk of the ministry of reconcilia- 
tion as you may ; and recite as long a catalogue of their offi- 
cial delinquencies as you can; yet, even when they were 
but the shadow of the professional imagery they were con- 
secrated to present, they have been the emblems of high 
thoughts. A Luther or a Calvin could shake the world ; and 
leave behind an impression which no politician could efTace. 
With all the frivohties and contentions of the priesthood, 
disgraceful as I hold them to be, yet withdraw their com- 
mission ; desecrate the altars where they minister; and dis- 
honour the sabbatical seasons of their labours ; and, with 
all your ideas of libert}^, the nation would sink into a horde 
of banditti and robbers — to call for their slaughtered priests 



■2\ 

wlicn dialh appears; or, liki- tin* Daniies, stize the i'lvA 
Lcvitc as I lit- j)ious nicdialor U) cover tlu-ir j)urpose(.l 
UTonijs; or, like the hownR-n of the fort.\st, secure some 
phaiit friar to warrant ih^ir bohl deeds. I have in» faith 
in your rational uiihehevers, who know as little about na- 
ture as they do about Christianity ; or, in your prudent calcu- 
lators, who serin to think they do the coninumity a service, 
when thr\ woulil rob the clergy of an honourai)le supjiort, 
and deprive the intellectual and spiritual laijourer of his 
hire. 

Oh, Chrislianiiy, ni}' di'ar friends, has a tone about it 
which should cliarni the heait of every man, who is intel- 
ligent and ])ure ; and under the mildness and grace of 
wliicluevcn tiie vilest sinner might cry for mere}-, if he se- 
riou>ly intended to depart from ini(Hiity. It speaks of the 
reconciliation of the human conscience with the God of 
glory; and calls for the love of man to his fellow. Such 
a view of social morals — you know it to be true, deny it 
who ma\' — is the very essence of individual and social hap- 
piness. You can safel}' bid parents to teach it to their 
children; while nothing else can soothe, and the disregard 
of ii dt't'pl}- distresses, the d}ing: — as you would well 
know, if }()U saw what }()ur ministers see, or heard what 
vour ministers hear. And cotdd you but imluce \our sanc- 
tuar\' picachi'is to j)ri'>ent cliri>iianity on its own broad and 
glorious merits, instead of arguing the comparative claims 
of corrupting sects; or could you but induce your politici- 
ans to rale jirinciple above otfice, and patriotism above the 
artifices of an clfdion campaign, and ihc jiassions ot an un- 
iid'ormed mullitndc ; our noi)le country nught thrive and 
llourish, as the paradise of the free, (iod in CJhrist is the 
mediatorial nilci- of mankind ; anil is trying, on the Ameri- 
can soil, an experiment of libert \ , \siih which our j)olitici- 



25 

ans are trifling in presumptuous and base style ; because, 
like the throng who crucified him^ they knew not the Lord 
of glory. Ah me ! how painful it is, as you pass along the 
streets, to hear those who call themselves gentlemen, swear- 
ing in most profane and senseless phrase ! and others, very 
likely their superiors in intelligence — for all professed gen- 
tlemen are not well educated — blaspheming the holy name 
of the Son of God ! and even children, whose tender minds 
should never have been exposed to such a loathsome conta- 
gion, expressing in their rude gambols the unholy language 
of their domestic fireside, of the politician's circle, of the 
merchant's counting room, or the mechanic's shop ! My 
facts and allusions are general. I wish they may be untrue. 
But, estimate my remarks as you may, the political system, 
which is not founded on mediatorial principles, will derange 
all our social interests ; will cripple all our social energies ; 
and will blight and blast our national glory. The Spirit of 
the Almighty is abroad, to convince the world of sin, be- 
cause they have not believed on the Son of God. 

But I may not dwell longer in general discussion. We 
must now turn to view the application of our principles to 
the circumstances of the occasion on which we are conven- 
ed. Fasting has been recommended; and fasting is a 
mournful service, associated with a deep sense and candid 
confession of sin. It is a national fast, and therefore im- 
plies repentance for national sins. Prayer is the cry of 
want — would ask for pardon, for counsel, for protection, for 
blessing ; and is based on a sacred purpose to do whatever 
is right. With great apparent unanimity you have respond- 
ed to the official call; and if any have disapproved, they 
have thought it prudent and becoming to yield to the popu- 
lar impulse. And what is your sin '^ What have you come 
to confess.^ in what direction are you about to ask for par- 

4 



26 

don, and supplicate for grace to walk in holier and better 
counsel?: Has a seeming Judgment, coming in unex- 
pectedly, and waking up afresh a subsiding excitement, 
brought you bhndly to the altars? Or can you, with true 
moral sublimity, honestly look facts in the face, and humb- 
ly repent as in the sight of God ? Shall your ministers play 
a pusillanimous part? and falter in the declaration of truth 
and righteousness? Will vnu follow them with a generous 
candour, while they trace a rapid outline of the social de- 
relictions of the day, which you suppose divine Providence 
has so severely reproved ? The proclamation has not mark- 
ed out their course. No schedule of national delincjiien- 
cies has been put into their hands. In mere politicians 
thev cannot confide — the doings of such they cannot ap- 
provi'. Tluv have been thrown upon their own responsi- 
bilities; aiul they must execute their task in a manner that 
will not tarnish their own consciences. 

Hear ihen. JIkj Lortl has said to e\fry living man, 
'' thou shall love thy neighbour as thyself.'' And when he 
formed ''the new man in knowledge, righteousness, and 
the holiness of truth," he called the saints krhthre-n, and 
^aid — ** a new commandment I give unto vou. that ve love 
one another."* Has this commandment been obeyed? or 
has it been most shamefully violated ? Let politicians speak. 
Let the halls of legislation speak. Let the courts of justice 
speak. Let the men of (Jod. the world's instructors in 
moral science, speak. Let ecclesiastical assemblies speak. 
Let him. ovtr w horn the troubled nation weeps, sj)eak. — 
Aye, let hiin.-jnak. I'loni the grave let him speak. Have 
not Americans sacrificed their brotherhood at the shrine of 
party Alolochs? Ha\e not })rofessing christians forgotten 
their mediatorial covrnani, put on their si-ctarian panoply, 
and defiled the bannei ol the cross amid their border con- 



27 

tests ? Can a nation tiourish in the midst of such fraternal 
disorders? In the day of action will there be any confi- 
dence ? in the day of adversity will there be any sympathy ? 
Will the young, under such training, give promise of future 
honours ? or will they not, frowning at parental authority, 
and despising parental tears, hasten to haunts of vice where 
intellect withers under desolating passions, and conscience 
is stupified in a round of guilty pleasures ? 

And do you suppose such a scene of social extravagance 
to be patriotic ? Are the busy and excited actors therein 
politicians ? — Ah me ! what does this nation understand by 
politics ? Would they, under such an honourable but 
abused term, designate the struggles of the selfish, — sus- 
tained by the passions of the profane, the animal force of 
the uninformed, and the indiscretions of the young ? Or 
are we to understand by politics, a profound science which 
men of elevated thinking should carefully study ? whose de- 
tails the wise and the firm should calmly execute? and over 
whose growing developments the prayerful should ask the 
Lord of glory to pour the light of day ? — But these nightly 
processions, these noisy harangues, these contentious elec- 
tions, these purchased votes, these immoral party pledges — 
O, does the exalted Son of God— who founded political sci- 
ence upon the philosophy of human nature, threw over its 
appropriate associations the reflection of his own attributes, 
and sealed the law of brotherly love in his blood — sanction 
such unfraternal detraction and discord ? No, brethren, no. 
Idolatry, base and unintellectual as it is, might approve of 
such ebullitions of unsanctified passion ; but idolatry would 
convert our glorious inheritance into a land of darkness and 
the shadow of death. 

My questions have risen out of the recollection of late 
and stormy scenes. None here can have forgotten the un- 



29 

}iapi)V and extensive excitement of the past year. All 
classes of citizens seemecl to have felt themselves called to a 
mighty effort. Onr rliief politicians, appeaiinj; to the gen- 
eral principles of social order, and professedly throwing 
back the national conscience on the elements of the revolu- 
tion, pledged their sacred honour in the great movement; 
and called up human passions in unprecedented force. Con- 
gressional orators chattered about, and intrigued in view of, 
a forthcoming election ; our merchants spoke in tones of 
unwonted despondency of times past, present, and to come ; 
our mechanics loudly called for attention to the '^working 
interest :•' younG: men swore deep, with a deep cup of fes- 
tive pleasure in ilieir hands; ajid even children carried the 
badges and lani^uage of parly strife into the school room. 
Who ever saw such times? Who, that is not delirious, 
would wish ever to see them again ? 

But the song of triumph has ceased; the language of 
complaint is heard no more; the funeral pageant has uni- 
ted under one banner of apparent sorrow, the misguided 
parties; and we fast to-day, appealing to the public con- 
science for a becoming confession of our folly. And surely 
there must be men enough, endued with political philoso- 
phy enough, and with prospective forecast enough, deeply 
to feel the severe judgment and its causes. If none else, 
yet the ministers of grace might abandon their ordinances of 
sectarian division, and set politicians a becoming example 
of moral order. They are commissioned to stand between 
the living and the dead. Death is their frequent theme ; 
life is the matter of the holy promises they proclaim. 
They surely might be moved, when the noble heart ol a 
tried patriot, who from his high station called for fraternal 
peace, ceased to beat; when an honourable and prayerful 
old man, carrying the bible into the mansion of state has 



29 

fallen — the victim of a general and protracted excitement, 
which his age and moral refinement could not endure. If 
these fail to do their duty, if they dare not, or will not call 
for union in the name of the Lord, then on a day of fast- 
ing the angel of judgment will write on our temple doors — 
Ichabod — the glory is departed. 

If these ministerial men, instead of assailing party spirit 
in their Master's name, and in well measured though un- 
equivocal terms, will still burnish their carnal weapons for 
a misnamed contest for the faith delivered to the saints; 
then, my felloAv countrymen, listen to your own tried pa- 
triots, whom you have dehghted to honor. — Washington 
taught American freemen no lesson of discord. His moral 
vision was too bright, and his heart was too guileless ; his 
intellectual views were too philosophic, and his practice 
was dictated by a judgment too unerring, not to have warn- 
ed us against such treason to the cause of liberty. He who, 
" first in war, first in peace, and first in the hearts of his 
countrymen," could find a closet in his camp, whence to 
appeal to Jehovah in his country's behalf, would have fast- 
ed and wept over such social disorders. And Harrison — 
the lamented Harrison — with the baton of oflice in his 
hand, and the insignia of office around him, and therefore 
under the inspiring glow of his high responsibilities — 
whom you have lost at an hour when you thought you most 
needed an officer of distinguished moral characteristics — 
came with the mediatorial spirit upon him, to call you back 
to your fraternal covenant. Did party considerations rule 
him in his public addresses.? or in his private walks.'' Read 
his official communications. Let some honest heart relate 
the anecdotes of his social intercourse. See him with the 
unfortunate sailor at his table; or dismissing him in fa- 
mihar converse ; and so kindly granting him the boon he 



3U 

came so humbly to ask : and you have a revered example 
of MA.v speaking to his fellow max. The arbitrary distinc- 
tions of a hollow fashion, — the otlspring, not of moral 
worth, but of mere adventitious circumstances, — meet in 
that touching incident with a well merited rebuke. An 
example was then set, which multitudes might imitate with 
unspeakable credit to themselves — imitate, not as a selfish 
and impertinent condescension on an election day, but as 
the elegant and honourable habit of life. The poor man, 
American citizens, is your brother — a son of liberty, like 
yourselves. 

For shame, Americans, that you, who are inviting the 
stranger from all nations to settle with you, promising him 
the liberty of sitting under his own vine and his own fig- 
tree, with none to make him ashamed or afraid; that you 
should be so quarrelsome among yourselves, and should so 
quicklv naturalize him to take part in the disgraceful scene. 
For shame American christians, that you, who have talked 
so much about toleration, should spoil a political influence, 
elevated so immeasurably above your sectarian policy, by 
calling up the loathsome records of ages long since gone, 
as thoua:h thev boiokcnod the modern style of thought and 
action in a free land. .Mourn before the Lord this day for 
such high-handed iniquities. Ditl'iT in opinion like men, 
until the age shall come, when He shall rule whose right it 
is ; and priiv him to diiiTt that under-current of thought, 
which — ])erhaps you do not suspect that it i< flowing — 
which voii niav (li>turb, but cannot control. 

It has already been called up to your remembrance, that 
our departed Father carried the bible with him into the clo- 
set of his oflicial and anxious labour. The incident is a 
pleasant reminiscence to all, unless to those who condemn a 
holv book thev never read ; or whose profound thone;hts 



31 

they never had political solidity enough to comprehend. 
But the incident has been noted as peculiar. Alas^ that it 
should be so ! that statesmen should be strangers to a vol- 
ume of political philosophy, which Jehovah, the nation's 
God, has given to his own inheritance ! And this for no 
better reason than that, some literary infidel, of no broad 
moral views, may have scoffed ! some priest of an ancient su- 
perstition may have pronounced a cathedral anathema on 
inquisitive laymen ! or some self-sufficient metaphysician of 
a modern school may have, by ecclesiastical force, legalized 
absurdities from which reason recoiled ! Statesmen, who 
can comprehend the broad outlines of political philosophy, 
may be readily justified for their rejection of improbable dog- 
mas ; but their exalted sphere called them to investigate for 
themselves, with a boldness and firmness that would cower 
to no sectarian control. They threw off that control, but 
they did it fretfully and sneeringly ; and what else did they 
do ? Did they lead others out to interpret political science 
on moral principles ? They became literary without becom- 
ing moral ; they sm.iled at an incomprehensible Trinity, and 
thought themselves free from the government of God ; they 
searched the works of the great Creator, and discovered no 
rule for their own high responsibilities; they inveighed 
against contending sects, and merely changed their form ; 
they laughed at the ease with which mankind could be dup- 
ed, and never rose to the train of reasonings which were 
connected with their own immortality ; they sported with 
the simplicity of the clergy, and were entrapped by the 
ministers of sensuality — the priest of Bacchus, or the syren 
voice of some meretricious Aphrodite, has carried many 
men, called statesmen, to a dishonoured grave. — And these 
are the men, — are they ? — who talk about the bible in terms 
of reproach and ridicule. The bible — a book, whose polit- 



32 

ical philosopliy, whose principles of national jurisprudence, 
and whose prospective views of society, are as far above 
their evanescent and faulty measures, as heaven is above 
the earth. 

The ^generations which are coming will require a race of 
statesmen of loftier views, of nobler aims, and of purer mor- 
als. Where sliall ihev be found ^ lie, who could adopt the 
bible as his rule in the high duties of a magistracy over a 
free people, and who did not disdain to ask the God of na- 
tions to grant him the Spirit of his station, is gone. The 
bright image flitted for a moment before us, and has been 
suddenly removed to its kindred agents in a better home. 
Would to God that our statesmen would study tlie bible I 
and shape their measures by its transcendent rules ! May 
the Spirit of Elijah, in double measure, rest on the success- 
or of our departed chief — and, like Elisha, may he not fail 
to meet the just expectations of the mourning and troubled 
republic ! 

For the multiplied and conllicting misconceptions, for 
the reckless neglect of the nation's law, given by the na- 
tion's God, let the nation mourn, and be in heart-felt grief 
this day. 

Sanctuary scenes, like biblical laws, are all important to 
the well-being of a free and intelligent people. JNIetaphor- 
ically, the nations are God's house; and our own nation is 
one of the many mansions in that house. The ordinances 
of grace which have been established therein, are the she- 
chinah of his glorified Son — the visible emblems of media- 
torial rule — llu- in.-lruinci'.t bv which the Holy Cihost puts 
forth his reforming inlluence. To the sanctuary of the na- 
tion's God should the people regularly, aflectionately, and 
unanimously repair. The rulers, the statesmen of the land, 
the politicians of the day, all who are, or think themselves 



33 

to be, qualified to conduct the great social movements of 
the commonweahh, should be among the foremost to hon- 
our their exalted Prince in his house of prayer. There, 
in the tabernacles of the Lord, "•' the good President," as 
he was described on a funeral urn I saw in the late proces- 
sion, reverentially appeared ; and, in forms he considered 
appropriate, rendered befitting homage to the Mighty One, 
^' by whom kings reign and princes decree justice." The 
example was greatly needed. But few of his political com- 
peers, but few professional men of any class, save the min- 
istry so called, thus devotionally bow before the Lord ; and 
multitudes of the people follow the ill-timed example — as 
if the nations, with all their pretensions to wisdom, wealth, 
power, and liberty, were any thing more ^^ than a drop of 
the bucket," compared with the Holy One. ^^ The ways 
of Zion do mourn, because few come to her solemn feasts." 
And now death has called awav the man, who had moral 
magnanimity enough, formally and devotionally to recog- 
nise the Majesty of Heaven, before the reputed mighty and 
great. — I honour his memory with delight. All men 
should honour the memory of the servant of the living 
God. Such an one, bold in his moral deportment, and 
faithful to the King of kings, is a true patriot. 

The temple is the presence chamber of the nation's God. 
The symbols he there ordains are intended to give form and 
expression, to the wise and ignorant, of the great principles 
of his government. He himself is invisible ; he has enter- 
ed his rest, and dwells in light which no man can approach. 
These forms manifest his presence ; they are the record of 
his NAME dweUing among us. The gods of the nations had 
analogous forms. Without them, these phantoms of human 
imagination would have lost the character they assumed ; 
would have entirely disowned the mediatorial laws they cor- 

5 



31 

rvpfed ; and would have perished from the memory of their 
Kuperstitious find ig:/jranl admirers. Such manifestations 
are founded on the nature of man ; are needful, are indis- 
pensable;— they \vraj> up the constitutional principles of so- 
ciety in vivid appeals to the human senses; and serve in 
their place the highest purpose, — analogous to that which 
sun, moon, and stars subserve to the universe at large. 

Society cannot else be framed. Sectarian theologians 
have their own forms and ceremonies, marking their fancied 
differences \\ith their brethren ; and without these the sects 
would die— leaving the church on the extended plain, which, 
in a preceding part of this discourse, I have attempted to 
describe. Politicians have their forms, numerons, striking^ 
and splendid ; without these they could not act, nor give 
visibility to government : their party purposes could not be 
sustained in an electioneering campaign; nor could their 
grief have been expressed but by some such exhibition as 
was presented so lately in our city, calling out in attractive 
array so many associations, each with its own distinctive and 
mystic symbols. Government would die without form and 
ordinances. Monarchy, aristocracy, republicanism — all 
would tuml)lc into chaotic confusion. 

What then do our great and mighty and learned men 
mean, when they so recklessly dishonour the ordinances of 
Jehovah .' Is it their wish that Christianity should expire on 
our free soil .' Woukl they join in as admirers of the wit 
and malignity of the French philosopher, and cry over 
again — '' crush the wretch r" — To what do they object in the 
visibility of the rjiri.stian church.- The sabbath day pro- 
claims the resurrection from the dead; — would they expel 
from ilie Aniericaji mind the ennobling iilea of life and iin- 
mortality: liaj»tism is btrt the covenanted form of allegi- 
ance to hiui who is Head overall things; — would they in- 



3 



p. 



vile the nations, called by his name, to acrafty and traiterous 
assault on his throne ? The table of the Lord is the memorial 
of a glorious scene, where ^"^the sin of the world was taken 
away ;" would they licentiously hold to their sin, and mad- 
ly brave its consequences? the memorial of a pure moral 
character perfected in suffering, — would they blight the 
likeness of human nature, wiien, by high thought and hard 
conflict, it has become what it ought to be ? The table of the 
Lord calls the church to a great national festival, and is the 
central point of national good-feeling ; — would they de- 
stroy the bonds of a consecrated brotherhood, and lead the 
way to scenes of polluting lusts? When the event it sha- 
dows forth transpired, revolution after revolution followed ; 
society put on new forms; the human mind acquired light 
and truth ; the church sketched out, on elective principles, 
her own national domain ; and the mighty influence which, 
starting from the cross of Calvary, thus began a noble work, 
and still sustains that work in its progress, will move firmly 
on till all the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms 
of our Lord and of his Christ. And shall such magnificent 
subjects demand no reflection from our wise men ? What 
do they mean ? They mean something, or they think not. 
Think not, and yet suppose themselves wise? Abandon 
the government of God, or refuse him worship, or study 
not his constitution of society, and call themselves politic!* 
ans? Ah me ! what a great thing a name must be I when 
it will cover from public gaze and reprobation such fearful 
absurdities ! 

Perhaps, men of such pretensions join in with the com- 
mon-place apologies of others, who come neither faithfully 
nor seasonably to the house of God. The singing is not 
good, they say ; and yet scientific music may not be the 
*^ melody of the heart ;" — it may thrill in exquisite tones. 



3G 

upon the ear even of the profane, and yet liave nothing to 
do with glorifying God. — Ministers pray and preach too long, 
ihey J^ay ; and yet men iiave deep and many wants — why 
tire they so soon in addressing that God \\ ho alone can sup- 
ply their wants? They have momentous problems to solve, 
covering their interests both present and to come, both pas- 
sing and everlasting — why shrink they from the responsi- 
bility and pressure of spiritual thinking: — There is a gross 
deficiency of talent in the pulpit, they say ; and we are con- 
tinually offended by feeble argument and tasteless eloquence. 
What self-complacency all these pleas betray ! Yet how 
ghamefully they dishonour the ordinances of God, which 
shadow forth the principles of his redeeming grace, and 
are the image*; of better things beyond the grave I 

Is talent the primary matter to be sought r Shall we abuse 
the gospel, as men have abused political science ? and must 
the worship of the Holy One be postponed for a question of 
human eloquence or the charm of sound, lest a fastidious 
taste should not be gratified .' Is that worship to be mea- 
sured by the ticking of the clock? and not by the craving 
demands of immortal spirits, seeking cultivation for a home 
in the skies? Are these objectors themselves men of tal- 
ent? Are thcv sure that they can estimate talent, when it is 
acting before them ? and particularly on subjects, in which 
they take little interest, and which they seldom study? Do 
they believe that ministers of the gospel have received a 
commission to address none but the wise and the learned ? 
or have these objectors no sympathy with the poor and illi- 
terate, when they appear before the Lord ? Is it a fact, 
that the people arc still addressed by illiterate fishermen.'' 
and that, as a class, the ministry will not compare with other 
professions? or are they so amazinp:ly ignorant of the his- 
tory of the world? 



37 

And our Rulers — did these but know — not under a human 
compact framing an artificial union of church and state, but 
under the mediatorial constitution given by the Son of God 
himself as our heavenly magistrate — that they are the offi- 
cial companions of these consecrated teachers ; or that they 
are, by the tem.porary substitution of the elective for the 
hereditary principle, ^^ the elders" of the Lord's people, 
they would not thus slight and abuse their own order. The 
Messiah is " a Priest on his throne ;" and teachers and ru- 
lers are but the co-ordinate asrents of his mediatorial ad- 
ministration. Had the church been what her JMaster de- 
signed her to have been, then a beautiful and sublime image 
of himself had been presented to the nations of the world. 
But over that image ^^the Man of sin" has thrown his own 
gorgeous mantle, bedecked with a thousand antichristian 
symbols; the official authority of "the Father and the 
Son" has been disowned in Christendom herself; her citi;- 
zens have been divided into the church and the world, — 
the first obeying divine authority by virtue of voluntary 
profession; and the last, not owning their allegiance, living 
as though they were unaccountable. How many of our 
politicians head the " the world" within the princely do- 
main of the Son of God — within his chosen inheritance ! 

Perhaps many may think there is no talent in the bible, 
and no wisdom in Christianity ; or at least not enough to 
occupy a man of mind. And where will the man of mind 
find appropriate employment, if he finds it not in studying 
government as the great Lord has framed it .^ and expound- 
ing law as he has enacted it .? Will he find it in the sci- 
ence of law and social order, as men have devised it.'' The 
talented men of the old world laugh at the blunders of our 
republican simplicity. The talented men of the new world, 
loathe the aristocratic notions, and abominate the overgrown 



38 

power of monarchical rules. Is ihis laleM ; — Talent indeed! 
Talent to counsel and instruct the Almit^hty ! Such ob- 
jectors do not think, linnidrtal mind finds its highest range 
of research in siirvevin;^ the political movements of the 
^reat Kin^ ; and rt-alizes, that the li\ins< inlluences of the 
Holv (ihost will i:i\ to tin- utmost all its powers. — How- 
ever, when I read, or li»t( ii to, the manner in which secta- 
rians and the missionaries of benevolence misa|)ply scrip- 
tural texts and arsjuments, J do not wonder at objections to 
the bible — particularly when urj^ed by politicians who never 
analvze its views; and by philosophers who are so proud 
of their siipernrial knowledge of nature's laws, as never to 
stutlv it. But I must hasten nn. 

Voiir money concerns, if I in;iy j)resnme to touch them, 
have become, it matters not to me by what means, most 
awfidlv derani^ed. Vour circulating medium is somehow 
most fearfully involved ; and common honesty is every 
where drooping over the secondary, yet absorbing and 
ensnaring (juestion of dollars and cents. A new fiscal 
agent had been summoned to the field of mammonic en- 
terprise. A brief season passed, afibrding you an oppor- 
tunity to look at the moral loveliness of his patriotic heart; 
and to listen to a Iru moral tones from lips which the in- 
spiring glow of ollice had touched. Wlu'U lo 1 the pen, 
which was tracing his views and emotions, was quickly 
snatched from his fingers by the angel of death ; and he 
has gone to that being, whose ^'godhead is not like to sil- 
ver and gold, graven 1>\ art and man's device.'' The per- 
plexing qiu'stion is thus returneil upon you : and the rea- 
sonings and measures and failures of a few months may 
throw you into still deeper perplexit\ . Who can tell.'' 
There has been such reckless waste of moral character in 
this direction — so many men, who amazed us by their spec- 



39 

ulative projects, have fallen — so many of the children of 
guiltv extravagance have worked out their own ruin — so 
many orphans weep over a crust — so many widows drop 
their burning tear upon a crumb — domestic discretion has 
been so thoughtlessly disregarded — political forecast is so 
much at fault — who, who can predict the next disaster ? or 
forestall it by an appropriate and ethcient remedy ? 

But the evil is not yet fully felt, or there would not be 
so many unqualified and conceited office-hunters, to court 
the fearful responsibility ; nor so many partizan writers and 
orators ready, from mere party views, to urge them on to 
breast the storm — though they should perish under the 
first rolling surge. The times are portentous; and the 
remedial measures call for the deliberations of our wisest 
men. And what can they do ^ The laws of the nation's 
God have been broken ; and, as he told us in his own ex- 
pressive terms, we have '^ set our eyes on that which is 
not ; for riches certainly make themselves wings, and they 
fly away as an eagle toward heaven." And now too, the 
heavens are black, the winds are cold, the grounds are 
soaked, and the heart of the husbandman begins to fail 
him : — and who appeals to the forgiving love of a holy Pro- 
vidence, that he may stretch his bow across the clouds, and 
yet give us fruitful fields and plenteous harvests.^ 

The primary law of society, under the government of 
God, calls for lahow ; and turns our first thoughts to the 
agriculturalist, whose privilege it is to meet the God of 
nature in the well furrowed field. As society advances, 
the law of labour may modify its demands ; but it cannot 
be repealed. The objects it embraces may be diversified ; 
but the agency is still the same. You must not blame me 
for this general view ; I cannot help it, and you cannot al- 
ter it. He who enacted the law, has distinctly noticed the 



40 

consecjuences of its violation, and told us beforehand, — 
they who hasten to be rich, pierce themselves through with 
many sorrows. The dangerous experiment has been tried, 
and the sorrows have come. Individuals have hasted to 
be rich, and \(>ii know in a thousand instances, what pe- 
cuniary and moral and domestic evils have followed. Slates 
have hasted to he rich, draining Europe to sustain their 
speculations; and how fearful the pressure I Labour has 
been thouejht disgraceful ; and young men have desired to 
be gentlemen — rich, tawdry, and overbearing — as though 
the law of God was too op{)ressive for them. Lands have 
been bought and sold, not for cultivation, but to enable 
lovers of money to speculate to the disadvantage of theii- 
neighbours. Idlers have crowded our cities, and are help- 
less in the hour of trouble. Gamblers have decoyed and 
ruined the affectionate husband; gamblers have spoiled the 
glory of laniilies, in seducing and demoralizing their first 
born son: and even on this day, are dishonouring their 
country and their God amid the vulgarities of the race- 
course. Benevolence has been deeply moved and pau- 
perism has thrived under her fostering care. At one time, 
abundance has been abused l>\ luxury and shameful waste; 
— and at another, carriers and consumers have outnumber- 
ed producers, until provisions have risen, and Europe has 
been sought for grain as well as money. There is some- 
thing more deeply wrong in the public mind, and in the 
public habits, than even in our financial disorders — enor- 
mous as these may have been. Surely, unless I have ut- 
tered an exaggerated story, there is cause enough for deej) 
despondency. Our glorified Prince will not give up this 
noble country to the service of Mammon. He has inter- 
posed, and is calling us to holier movements, to a higher 
destin\ . 



41 

What measure of relief is now to be devised ? That is 
a question for others to settle. Politicians must correct 
political mistakes, when such exist. But if politicians will 
set aside the elemental laws of society as God has made 
them ; if they cover speculators with their aegis, or offer a 
premium to speculation, the community will, sooner or later, 
curse them for their folly. They must act for themselves. 
It has ofttimes been seen that scenes and seasons have oc« 
curred, when politicians had better not have acted at all. 
Perhaps the present moment may afford them an opportu- 
nity for such prudence ; and an intelligent community might 
say, "let us alone." I do not know. My opinion on such a 
subject, is perhaps, like a taper glimmering in a bursting 
storm ; or like the evanescent sparkle of the glow worm, that 
cannot illume the darkness through which it passes ; — but 
my country is not unlike the youth of high talent and splen- 
did promise, who, foolishly overtaken in a moment of joy- 
ous festivity, reels and staggers in temporary helplessness; 
and may need more patience and endurance, than her chil- 
dren are willing to display. I wish other's may know what 
to do. 

Yet it seems to me that, the diversified labour of our citi- 
zens, graced by a sufficient measure of common honesty to 
meet the demands of our creditors abroad and at home, 
would go far to relieve our difficulties ; and, if persevered in, 
would make us an honourable and happy people forever af- 
terwards. But no artificial rules of any fofm, either in church 
or state, can repair the breach of divine laws. Paul has 
said — I love to take refuge under the wing of an inspired 
apostle, — " the love of money is the root of all evil :" — " he 
that will not work, neither should he eat :" — " let him that 
stole, steal no more ; but rather let him labour, working with 
his hands the thing that is good, that he may have to give 

6 



42 

to him thai needeth.'' The employment of all will bring 
happiness to all. A nation's labour will bring a nation's 
prosperity. Financial gambling will, conducted by any 
administration, and whatever may be its party title, bring 
ruin, sure and dreadful. This is political economy, in all 
its length and breadth, which any politician might have dis- 
covered by reading the ten commandments. 

But political economy has given place to the love of 
monev ; — the philosophy of thought has been superseded 
by the excitement of passion ; — party projects have trifled 
with the majesty of moral principle ; — the love of show and 
of dress have called for the sacrifice of the domestic vir- 
tues; — and benevolence, imaginative and ingenious, leaving 
her churches in debt for thousands, and those who minister 
at the altar in penury or vexatious want, has created a race 
of paupers, whom, though foreigners in every well regulat- 
ed society, she has naturalized with amazing promptness; 
and, by her poor rates and alms-houses, her societies and 
her fairs, her ministerial beggars coming from all denomi- 
nations, and her immature projects of evangelic enterprise, 
has converted church and state into a public charity page- 
ant. Money has been abused in all directions, and under 
every variety of form, without any regard to scriptural pre- 
cedent or law. The fair demands of labour have been 
withheld; hundreds have been denied to the claims of jus- 
tice ; while thousands have been expended in the magni- 
ficent shows of eleemosynary folly. 

Benevolence has been ignorantly seeking to shift the basis 
of our common virtues, from the force of implanted and 
established principles, to the power of some irregular social 
obligation ; — a novel form, or a form suited to modern times, 
of a fatal imput.\tio\, in which men lose their proper 
sense of personal responsibility. — Marriage contracts are 



43 

often sought and made on mere pecuniary calculations; 
young men and young women^ with parents thus immor- 
ally to advise them, at the expense of pure affection, seek 
after wealth, — that senseless god of the sensual, the ig- 
norant, the indolent, and the proud. Unfitness of tem- 
per and discordance of view, bringing extravagance, dis- 
cord, and domestic ruin, while moral worth seldom calls for 
a thought — ah ! me, what is any noble purpose of an in- 
tellectual and immortal being, compared M^th money ? — 
Money, money, is every thing in this land of liberty, liber- 
alitj^, and thought. — Justice has been dishonoured and en- 
feebled, when the wealthy transgressor of her laws has es- 
caped her penalties ; and she has sought to recover or as- 
sert her control by exaggerated charges against impoverish- 
ed criminals — in ermined pomp betraying her unrighteous 
" respect of persons ;" while charity, in gaudy attire and 
whining tone, has even graced the gallows with the triumphs 
of faith and the joys of salvation. Saving that which is 
right, we are, Hke Solomon, trying every thing under the 
sun; like him, as far as the experiment has gone, we have 
found every thing to be but '' vanity and vexation of spirit.'' 
And like him, on such a day as this, if we would not that 
" our solemn meeting and appointed fast" be an "iniquity/' 
which the nation's God will loathe and hate, we should 
have candour enough to give forth, in tones audible and 
distinct, this conclusion of the whole matter — *^*^ Fear God 
and keep his commandments ; for this is the whole duty of 
man." This day, as I understood its object, was intended 
to afford an opportunity for such a review ; to bring out, in 
the close of our argument, this very conclusion. 

Had time permitted, I wished to have presented to you 
another general view, which I can now do little more than 
mention. Our intellectual troubles seem to have become aa 



u 

great, as eiiher our pecuniary or poliiical difficulties. A 
spirit of inquiry has gone forth, w liich is reviewing every 
thing that belongs to our earthly being. The iilea of liber- 
ty has long since pas.'^ed mere political boundaries, and is 
associating itself with matters, which have heretofore been 
thought settled and sacred. The dogmas of past ages are 
unsaii>faciory now; and are canvassed with startling bold- 
ness and unyielding perseverance. The current of public 
thought is not to be restrained, though men of truth and 
righteousness might wisely direct it to a good result. 
Questions of high import are rising up within every chris- 
tian denomination; and church-men and politicians are dis- 
cussing the same principles. The age is characterised by 
an unprecedented freedom and rapidity of thought; ideas 
thrown out by men of reflection are quickly incorporated 
with public sentiment ; and the activity of mind is fiercely 
driven on by the strongest passions. 

This state of things is styled, ^' the march of intellect ;" 
a view which is often laughed at, because so much of what 
is seen is both superficial and evil. The secret spring 
which is moving the very foundations of society is not per- 
ceived; and the diflerent actors are driving on, they know 
not where ; leaving to ihc w i.-e painui and the intelligent 
christian no rtliei" but in each one's saying and doing what 
is right as far as he knows, and appealing to the tender mer- 
cies of a presiding providence. The whole scene reminds 
me of a l)ri(;f \)\ay acted before Charles V., which I read 
in my e;irly year.-, and which was, if I remember right, to 
the following eflecl. A servant brought into the Emperor's 
room a bundle of stick.s — .some crooked and some straight. 
After III' li id r<-iiicil. an iiuiividual, in ajtpropriate dress, 
and labelled Erasmus, entereil; and on discovering the sticks, 
he tried every effort to make them correspond with each 



45 

other. Failing in his experiment, he fretfully left the room. 
Another succeeded in the habit of a monk, with a chafing 
dish of live coals ; perceiving the bundle, he threw his coals 
into the centre ; and presently all were in a blaze. He was 
recognized as Luther. After his departure, a third enter- 
ed, in the robes of an emperor ; and, seeing the fire, he was 
confounded, and hastily drew his sword to scatter the lit- 
tle blazing pile ; but the vent he gave only increased the 
flame. A fourth succeeded the disappointed emperor, and 
in the gorgeous garb of the pope. Grievously disturbed, 
he hastened to a table, on which were placed two bottles — 
one containing water, and the other oil. In his hurry he 
poured the oil instead of the water upon the burning bun- 
dle. The literary Leo ignorantly united with the rest to 
make matters worse. — This play is again in rehearsal in 
our own day. 

A sparrow cannot fall to the ground without the permis- 
sion of our heavenly Father ; and such mighty revolutions 
cannot pass on without his guiding hand. He himself has 
spoken of such times — many running to and fro, seeking af- 
ter knowledge — the Man of sin the Lord will destroy by 
the brightness of his coming — the earth shall be full of the 
knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea — the 
kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of our 
Lord and of his Christ. The day is coming — the work has 
commenced — the different members of the Man of sin are 
palsied — and all are called back to the study of elemental 
principles. Cheerfully and harmoniously obey that call. 
You have been required to make confession of sin, and you 
have made it. You have been invited to prayer : — pray 
that the Lord may consecrate American liberty as the sym- 
bol of the world's redemption; and guide her sons and 
daughters in purity and truth to their own share of action 



46 

and glory, in fulfilling the high purposes of our exalted 
Prince. And when you pray, remember that all empires 
must perish, whatever may be their power, their wealth, or 
their liberty. Remember death — remember de.\th. 
Your Chief Magistrate is no more: his de.\th called you 
here to-dav. Let his grave be the centre of your mourn- 
ful thoui^ht, and give seasonable warning;. Let rulers and 
teachers pray like dvivi: mex, who would be prepared to 
meet the king of terrors when he shall come ! And let 
politicians of all grades and of all parties be distinctly ad- 
monished, that DEATH will not wait upon their wishes and 
projects; but may surprise them amid the phrenzy of their 
unholy passions, and the madness of their unfraternal dis- 
cord — to bear them to the bar of that righteous Lord, who 
is of ^^ purer eyes" than to look on their immoralities but 
with " detestation and abhorence;" — and whose awful sen- 
tence their own enlightened consciences must forever ap- 
prove. But I must be done. — And now. 

May Jehovah, the God of our nation, bless us as his own 
chosen inheritance ! May our country be carried on by his 
vigilant Providence to glory and renown ! May he teach 
her senators wisdom, and hor exactors righteousness I May 
her Chief Magistrate become the luminous and lovely im- 
age of Him, to whom every knee must bow, and every 
tongue must swear ; ruling, not for his elect ones, but for 
all ! and mav all her oHicial men be " able men, such as fear 
God, men of truth, hating covetousness !'' May her '•' sons, 
in their youtlifiil days, be as well grown plants;" and her 
'^ daughters as the carved corner stones in the structure of 
the temple!" And when her children are baptised "in 
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy 
Ghost," may the sacred allusion be the gracious emblem of 
the descending Spirit, come to abide in our land forever. 
Amen, and Amen. 



ERRATA. 

Page 16, line 12 — 13. For observaiiom read aberrations. 
Same page, line 80. For prevented redid perverted. 
Page 20, line 20. For Your read Our. 



/ 



